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Message: [QUOTE="Queen, post: 85096, member: 27"] Kurzweil just rolled out a no-nonsense 88-key workhorse that screams stage-first, deep-engine-second, and quietly reminds everyone it still knows synthesis. What just showed up [LIST] [*]Alright, Kurzweil Music Systems announced the SP8 stage keyboard. [*]This one is built for live performance with studio crossover baked in. [*]The engine underneath runs on V.A.S.T. with FlashPlay handling speed and response. [/LIST] The physical feel [LIST] [*]An 88-key fully weighted hammer-action keybed anchors the whole thing. [*]This is clearly aimed at pianists who do not want compromise. [*]Polyphony tops out at 256 voices, which is generous for stacked sounds. [/LIST] What lives inside sound-wise [LIST] [*]The factory library weighs in at 2 GB. [*]Sounds are organized across 10 categories for quick access. [*]Flagship piano duties come from the German D and Triple Strike Pianos. [*]Kurzweil String Resonance simulates acoustic damping behavior. [/LIST] Beyond piano territory [LIST] [*]KB3 ToneReal organ modeling is onboard. [*]Front-panel knobs double as drawbars, which is exactly what players expect. [*]Classic 6-operator FM synthesis sits next to vector synthesis waveforms. [*]Updated sounds pulled from the K2700, PC4, and earlier Kurzweil gear fill out the palette. [/LIST] Control and MIDI depth [LIST] [*]The SP8 works as a 5-zone MIDI controller. [*]Five assignable knobs and five assignable buttons handle real-time control. [*]A three-position shift system expands each control to 15 virtual assignments. [*]Transpose buttons and a programmable variation button keep things practical. [*]Pitch and modulation wheels stay old-school and reliable. [/LIST] Performance features that matter [LIST] [*]More than 1000 factory programs ship ready to play. [*]Over 200 Multis support layered and split setups. [*]User memory stretches past 4000 locations for programs and Multis. [*]Multi Mode supports up to five simultaneous arpeggiators or CC sequences. [/LIST] Audio and pedal support [LIST] [*]Audio input accepts line, instrument, or microphone sources. [*]Dedicated effects are applied directly to incoming audio. [*]Two switch pedal jacks support up to four pedals. [*]One continuous control pedal input handles expression duties. [/LIST] The bigger picture [LIST] [*]This keyboard leans into Kurzweil’s long-standing synthesis depth. [*]It balances stage usability with serious internal routing. [*]SP8 feels designed for players who want one board to do a lot quietly well. [/LIST] Pricing and timing [LIST] [*]Kurzweil has not locked in an official price or release date. [*]Market chatter points toward a $1,895 price tag. [*]Details are expected closer to launch. [/LIST] The takeaway [LIST] [*]SP8 is not flashy; it is capable. [*]Kurzweil doubled down on engine depth and control. [*]This looks built for players who value substance over hype. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

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